Annette Marie Fellin-Gerten

FELLIN-GERTEN, ANNETTE MARIE Annette Marie Gerten (nee Fellin), 52, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2013 after a short struggle with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her loving husband, Jim, and dear children, Charlie, Grace and Joe. Parents, Phil and Phyllis Fellin; siblings, Chris (Mary Jo), Celia (Ron) Ozminkowski, Camp (Jeanne), Mary (Kip) Hurley; aunts, Rosie, Sister JoAnn Fellin, Carmen (Mike) Carroll; uncle, David (Joyce) LaPee; mother-in-law, Helen Gerten; in-laws, Bev (Mick) Hlavinka, Gloria (John) Mullery, Jack (Delanna), Frank (Patti), Liz (Zim) Myers, Mary (Gary) Garfield and many nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. Annette grew up in Ann Arbor Michigan. Annette began her professional career in social work following her undergraduate years at the College of St. Catherine. She completed her MSW in 1984 at the University of Michigan. She returned to Minnesota in 1986 to work at Wilder Child Guidance Center. She went on to work as a family counselor and school social worker. Annette completed her Ph.D. in Social Work in 1996. A year later she began her career at Augsburg College, beginning as a full-time instructor. Professor Gerten was a valued and innovative teacher, a tireless collaborator, and an incurable knitter. Annette dedicated her whole heart to her students and to her colleagues. But to focus on her professional career would be only a segment of Annette's full story. She loved her family. She was devoted to her three children, her husband Jim and supported all their social, academic and sport activities. Annette played volleyball with her husband's college friends, watched most of her three children's soccer and basketball games. And just this past August, Annette proudly completed her first triathlon. 'As she did with yarn so beautifully and creatively, she wove us all together more tightly centered on the important work of serving others...What a good mother, social worker, educator, and human being! May we carry on in her hopes and dreams as her spirit lives in our hearts....' (Anthony Bibus, 2013)." Courage. Some have suggested that the fullest meaning of this idea is to act with a whole heart, being brave is pursuing life with your whole-heart. Annette lived and she died whole-heartedly. Contributions can be made to Annette's childrens' college fund: NY529 Advisor Guided CSP, Ameriprise Financial, 2918 Upper 55th St, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076-1673.